AGP Executive Report

UAPD Case: A former University of Arkansas Police Department officer, Sisawat Singmuongthong, was arrested Friday on charges tied to alleged child sexual abuse material, after investigators found images on devices seized during a domestic disturbance investigation in Sebastian County. Wildfire Readiness: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture launched a new active wildfire dashboard to track fires in real time, with officials urging residents not to approach active flames or fly drones near them. College Access: Arkansas rolled out the Arkansas ACCESS Portal for high school seniors, letting students apply to up to five public colleges with one login and no application fees. Health Update: Arkansas reported two new cyclosporiasis cases, bringing the year’s total to 277, with Benton County still accounting for most recent infections. Local Politics: Fort Smith’s change-of-government question is set for the November 2026 ballot after enough signatures were verified. Energy & Cost of Living: Gas prices stayed mixed in the latest reports, including the lowest E15 price in Lawrence County at $3.69 and diesel lows in Mississippi County at $4.73. Statewide Politics: A new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College poll shows Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders leading in the Arkansas governor’s race, while Trump’s job approval remains low among voters.

Childhood Vaccines: A coalition of 210+ medical and patient groups is pushing back hard on a White House executive order that advises reducing and spacing out recommended childhood vaccines, warning it’s not science-based and could leave kids less protected as measles and respiratory season approach. Arkansas Heat & Wildfire Risk: Heat advisories are back across parts of Arkansas, with dangerous temperatures and a renewed chance of storms midweek; officials also point to dry conditions and burn ban concerns. Little Rock Education: An outdoor charter school planned for Little Rock’s Riverdale neighborhood has postponed its fall opening by a year, now targeting fall 2027. Miller County Audit: A state audit says Miller County repeatedly broke Arkansas bidding rules on construction projects and flagged improper payments tied to Quorum Court bonuses. Local Business/Tech: Caterpillar announced up to $3 million for Arkansas workforce training in North Little Rock. Money & Odds: Powerball climbed to an estimated $48 million for Monday; no jackpot winner was reported, but Arkansas had multiple smaller prize matches.

Medicaid Watch: DHS chief Janet Mann told lawmakers Arkansas is “optimistic” the Trump administration will extend the ARHOME Medicaid expansion waiver short-term; if not, nearly 207,000 people wouldn’t lose coverage but could shift to fee-for-service Medicaid, a move Mann warned could disrupt providers and beneficiaries. Storm Aftermath: Central Arkansas storms and high winds knocked out power for about 27,000 Entergy customers, mainly in Pope, Faulkner, Pulaski and White counties, with many expecting restoration by Tuesday. Food Safety: Walmart shoppers are urged to check pantries for a recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit due to possible Listeria; the FDA says no confirmed illnesses yet. Public Health/Cost of Living: A Redfin analysis found typical families in Little Rock spend under 40% of income on housing and childcare—among the most affordable big metros. Local Schools & Conservation: AGFC honored 31 Arkansas schools (Pre-K through 12th) as School of Conservation Leadership for 2026-29. Tech & Delivery: Uber says drone delivery via Zipline is coming to select cities; Zipline already operates in Pea Ridge, Arkansas.

Wildfire Watch: Arkansas’ wildfire risk is rising fast as dry conditions spread; the state says all 75 counties are at moderate risk and 30 are under burn bans, urging people to check local rules and report any fires immediately. Health & Safety: The FDA elevated a Salmonella egg recall to Class I; eggs sold at Kroger and Brookshire’s in Louisiana and distributed across several states, including Arkansas, are tied to illnesses—check dates and don’t eat them. Arkansas Politics/Health Care: Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion (ARHOME) faces uncertainty as the federal waiver expires Dec. 31; the state is seeking more time, and gubernatorial candidates are weighing what comes next. Local Business: Buc-ee’s opened its first Arkansas location in Benton, expected to bring 200+ jobs and 74,000 square feet of travel-center shopping and food. Arkansas Football: Safety Caleb Wooden is rejoining the Razorbacks for the 2026 season after a federal eligibility ruling.

Arkansas Football: Arkansas wrapped up its hottest preseason stretch with a 130-play scrimmage, and the offense flashed big plays, including Chris Marshall’s 96-yard catch and a 34-yard TD, while the quarterback battle between KJ Jackson and AJ Hill stayed wide open. Local Safety: A Maumelle High School player found a two-foot cottonmouth inside his helmet during practice; officers used water to coax it out and the student finished with a different helmet. School Choice: Arkansas expects 50,000-plus students in the Educational Freedom Account program this year—about 12% more than last year—pushing the 2026-27 cost above $367 million. Sports (Royals): Royals left-hander Noah Cameron struck out eight and completed a 3-0 win over the Angels, taking a no-hitter into the seventh before it was broken up. Gas Watch: Prices eased statewide, with midgrade hitting a low of $4.35 in Scott County for the week ending Aug. 8. Community: Conway police arrested a homeless man after a 99-year-old woman fought off an intruder at her home.

Heat Advisory: Magnolia stays under a Heat Advisory through Tuesday night, with highs around 102–103 and heat indexes near 106–107. Move-In Day: Arkansas State University welcomed new and returning students Saturday despite triple-digit temperatures, with volunteers helping families get settled. Powerball: No Match 5 winner Saturday; Monday’s jackpot is estimated at $35 million. Daylight Saving Push: President Trump urges the Senate to pass permanent daylight saving time, pointing to the House-passed Sunshine Protection Act. Arkansas Science: U of A researchers are using “genetic neighborhoods” to tell disease-causing poultry bacteria from harmless strains. Public Safety & Crime: FBI data says the U.S. homicide rate fell 18.1% to the lowest since 1956, while Little Rock’s own figures show homicides up 19% from 2024 to 2025. Sports (Local + National): ASU’s football team wrapped camp with a night scrimmage; NFL preseason Week 1 is complete, and Buffalo’s Josh Allen built early chemistry with DJ Moore. Lottery/Weather/Community: Braum’s announced a Clarksville opening and Little Rock’s Museum of Discovery is gearing up for more hands-on learning.

Food Safety Recall: Walmart is recalling 3,240 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states, including Arkansas, after FDA-linked testing flagged possible listeria contamination; the kits have a use-by date of Aug. 22 and no illnesses were confirmed. Arkansas Crime Lab: The Arkansas General Assembly says the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is getting a new facility and more staff, with a 2027 completion planned to expand DNA, toxicology, firearms, digital evidence, fingerprints, and medical examiner services. School Bus Safety: Arkansas lawmakers are reminding drivers to stop for stopped school buses with red lights flashing and the stop arm out, with fines up to $2,500. Heat & Water: Fort Smith asked residents to follow voluntary water conservation as drought and triple-digit heat strain supplies. Local Sports: Arkansas football is preparing for its first major training-camp scrimmage, while volleyball held its Red-White tune-up and baseball added Levi Abrego, a fast-rising Texas infielder. Public Safety: A 21-year-old man was arrested in Benton County after a fatal shooting in Sulphur Springs.

Antitrust & Agriculture: Corteva will pay $3.1 million to settle the Arkansas attorney general’s antitrust suit over alleged anticompetitive pesticide rebates tied to suppressing generic competition. Public Health: The FDA upgraded a recall of about 19 million eggs to its highest risk level after potential salmonella contamination; the eggs were sold in Arkansas and five other states. State Government & Courts: An Arkansas judge dismissed AG Tim Griffin’s open-records lawsuit against the Board of Corrections, ending a long-running fight over prison leadership and public-meeting compliance. Library Policy: The Arkansas State Library Board revised proposed rules restricting access to “sexually explicit” materials, softening “ensure” to “take all reasonable steps” after concerns about punishing libraries for mistakes. Wildfire Watch: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture urged vigilance as wildfire risk rises statewide, with many counties under burn bans. Local Health Care: Circle of Life plans to acquire Washington Regional Hospice, adding an inpatient hospice home in Fayetteville. Weather: Dangerous heat continues across Arkansas, with heat advisories and little overnight relief. Sports & Community: Arkansas football’s Quincy Rhodes Jr. says the goal is simple—win—while Arkansas youth and 4-H shooting events highlight safety and life skills.

Wildfire Watch: Nineteen Arkansas counties are now at high wildfire risk, with burn bans in 55 counties as hot, dry weather keeps pushing fire danger up. Heat Advisory: A heat advisory runs through Sunday in Northwest Arkansas, with heat indexes topping 105–107 and schools/businesses adjusting schedules to keep people safe. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a salmonella egg recall to the highest risk level, covering about 1.6 million eggs sold in Arkansas and other states; separate Walmart tomato soup kits are also recalled over possible listeria. Public Safety & Courts: A Fayetteville man, Isaiah Sealy, was arrested on multiple charges; a former Conway County deputy was sentenced to 22 years for rape; and a Marianna man received 20 years for a 2024 shooting death. Local Life: Poinsett County is under a burn ban, and crews cleared a reported-injury crash on Highway 25 near Batesville. Little Rock: The Little Rock Marathon announced its 2027 theme: “Run Around the Rock.”

Arkansas Education: White County school districts say no third-graders were retained this year, after intensive tutoring and good-cause exemptions under the Arkansas LEARNS Act. Local Elections: The White County Election Commission approved an early voting center in Beebe at the Church of Christ for three days ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Public Health: A multistate salmonella recall includes jalapeño-based dips and guacamole sold at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target and more; shoppers are urged to check “best if used by” dates and discard impacted items. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded an egg recall to its highest risk level over Salmonella Enteritidis, with millions of eggs pulled from shelves. Weather & Safety: A dangerous heat wave continues to grip the Mid-South, with Little Rock under heat advisories and officials urging hydration and cooling precautions. Medicaid Watch: KFF Health News reports the Trump administration won’t renew a key Medicaid waiver agreement, raising concerns for coverage changes for about 200,000 low-income Arkansans. Business & Growth: HTeaO is opening a Fort Smith store Aug. 22, and Huey Magoo’s awarded development rights for 60 new restaurants, including sites in Arkansas. Law Enforcement: Arkansas State Police is facing renewed scrutiny after a trooper’s alleged use of force against a teen, with a federal lawsuit now in play.

Arkansas Courts & Transparency: Little Rock Attorney General Tim Griffin says a Pulaski County judge dismissed his FOIA lawsuit against the Arkansas Board of Corrections after the parties settled, calling transparency “cornerstones of good government.” Public Safety & Health: Whole Foods is recalling jalapeño-made prepared foods and dips after salmonella concerns, with Arkansas among the affected states. Wildfire Watch: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture warns wildfire risk is rising statewide, with all 75 counties at moderate risk and burn bans in place across more than 30 counties. Civil Rights: The Arkansas NAACP is demanding an independent investigation into an Arkansas State Trooper’s arrest of an 18-year-old woman near Manila, citing video and use-of-force claims. Local Life: Buc-ee’s Benton is set to open at 6 a.m. Aug. 17, and Brookland Intermediate held a ribbon cutting ahead of classes starting Aug. 17. Economy & Jobs: Tyson Foods announced it will close beef plants in Joslin, Illinois, and Eagle Mountain, Utah, and pursue a sale of its Pasco, Washington, facility. Weather & Outdoors: The Perseid meteor shower peaks Thursday night, with viewing best after 11 p.m. Food Assistance: The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas will host a USDA drive-thru distribution in Lawrence County on Aug. 26.

Powerball: A single ticket sold in Illinois won the $1.040 billion Powerball jackpot (numbers: 4-26-66-67-69, Powerball 9; Power Play 2x). The cash value is $450.5 million before taxes, and the jackpot resets to about $20 million for the next drawing Saturday. Local Government: Cabot paused its Flock automated license-plate camera program after privacy complaints, with the mayor ordering the system disconnected while the city rechecks the plan. Public Safety/Weather: Dangerous heat continues across the region, with heat advisories and extreme heat risk through the weekend; officials urge breaks, shade, and hydration. Health: Cyclosporiasis cases keep rising nationwide, with Florida reporting more than 400 cases in the latest update. Business/Economy: Five Rivers Manufacturing expanded its Corning headquarters, bringing multiple outdoor brands under one roof and highlighting Arkansas’s waterfowl industry. Sports: Arkansas defensive end Quincy Rhodes Jr. says his goal is simply to “win,” as the Razorbacks head into another tough SEC season.

High School Safety: A Maumelle High football player found a 2-foot cottonmouth inside his helmet during practice; animal control had to force the snake out with water, and the student wasn’t bitten before swapping helmets and continuing. Police Accountability: A viral video shows Arkansas State Trooper Moisses Arellano punching an 18-year-old woman during an arrest; a federal lawsuit has been filed and civil rights attorney Ben Crump is calling for answers. Public Health: Arkansas reported 11 more cyclosporiasis cases, bringing the total to 263 this year, with most in Northwest Arkansas. Local Crime Prevention: Little Rock police and partners will distribute 1,000 free gun safety locks as part of Project ChildSafe. Health & Food Alerts: Whole Foods expanded a jalapeño recall tied to salmonella risk, with products sold in Arkansas among other states. Weather & Risk: Arkansas wildfire risk remains elevated as dry conditions persist, and burn bans are in effect in parts of the state. Sports & Community: Arkansas State University is emphasizing heat safety for move-in, and a Fayetteville event previews the Tech band’s Tucker Coliseum tribute show.

Hot Car Safety: More children have died in hot cars nationwide, with the death toll now at 18 this year; Florida leads with five cases. Safety groups say the fix is boring but consistent—never leave a child in a vehicle, even briefly. Arkansas Courts & Libraries: Arkansas librarians are still waiting on clear enforcement details after a federal appeals court lifted an injunction tied to the state’s book restriction law, leaving questions about what “harmful to minors” means in practice. Civil Rights Accountability: A civil rights lawsuit was filed against an Arkansas State Trooper after he admitted punching an 18-year-old woman during a traffic stop, with dashcam footage central to the allegations. Back-to-School Health: Hospitals are using “I Gave Birth” wristbands to flag postpartum risks; Arkansas is among states adopting the idea. Local Sports/Practice: Maumelle’s high school football practice turned into a scare when a cottonmouth was found inside a player’s helmet; the team switched helmets and reminded players to check gear. Powerball: The jackpot is back at $1 billion for Wednesday’s drawing.

Back-to-school safety and accountability: Maumelle High practice took a scary turn when a 2-foot cottonmouth was found inside a player’s helmet; officers had to pour water to coax it out, and the team was reminded to check gear before play. Public safety and civil rights: Arkansas lawmakers and the NAACP are demanding answers after a dashcam-linked traffic stop where an Arkansas State Police trooper allegedly punched an 18-year-old; the trooper remains on active duty and officials say force is reviewed internally. Local growth in Northeast Arkansas: InnovAsian Cuisine broke ground in Jonesboro on a $150M frozen food facility expected to create about 200 jobs, with production starting in 2028. Education and workforce: Arkansas State University opened the state’s first public veterinary school, with classes starting Wednesday for an inaugural cohort of 120 students. Statewide housing pressure: University of Arkansas students say dorm housing struggles are being worsened by unsafe roommate situations, including one case involving alleged threats. Business in Little Rock: Raines was selected to manage the new AC Hotel Downtown Little Rock near the River Market, with plans to activate meeting and lounge space. Food safety: Taylor Farms expanded a jalapeño recall tied to a multistate salmonella outbreak, with products sold at major retailers including Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Target. Lottery: Powerball continues to roll toward a $975M jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing.

Powerball: No jackpot winner Monday; the next drawing Wednesday is estimated at $975 million (cash about $422.3M). Winning numbers: 6-37-54-55-64, Powerball 10, Power Play 3x. Public Safety & Privacy: Mayflower is stopping Flock automated license plate reader cameras, joining Cabot and Pea Ridge amid privacy concerns. Health Care Access: March of Dimes reports about 78,000 Arkansas girls and women live in maternity care deserts with no nearby obstetric physicians. Maternal Health: The group also flags Arkansas’ high maternal mortality rate and ongoing Medicaid uncertainty. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded a jalapeño-linked salmonella recall affecting prepared foods sold nationwide, including in Arkansas—check “Best If Used By” dates through Aug. 16. Cybersecurity: Experts warn suspected Iranian hackers targeted U.S. water utilities, highlighting weak cybersecurity at small systems. Weather & Outdoors: South Arkansas gets near-moonless skies for the Perseids peak Aug. 12-13, with best viewing after midnight.